Katana VentraIP

No One Is to Blame

"No One Is to Blame" is a song written and performed by British musician Howard Jones. Originally released on Jones's 1985 album, Dream into Action, "No One Is to Blame" was re-recorded and released as a single in 1986. The single became Jones's biggest U.S. hit to date, peaking at #4.

"No One Is to Blame"

3 March 1986 (UK)
24 March 1986 (US)

1985

3:29 (1985 version)
4:13 (1986 version)

Howard Jones

History[edit]

The original version of the song can be found on Dream into Action. Following the success of the previous singles from that album, it was re-recorded to generate a more radio-friendly sound. Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham produced the re-recording, with Collins adding his own drum work and mood.[2][3] The new version of the song was included on the 1986 US EP Action Replay as well as the CD version of Jones' 1986 studio album, One to One.[4]


"No One Is to Blame" was released as a single in March 1986. It became Jones' biggest hit in the United States, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] The song also became the first of his two #1 songs on the U.S. adult contemporary chart ("Everlasting Love" would top this chart in 1989).[5] "No One Is to Blame" was also a top 10 hit in Australia and a #16 hit in the U.K.[6]


In 2018, Morgan Enos of Billboard described "No One Is to Blame" as a "dreamy, existential" ballad that "doesn’t quite deal with love, but with the lack thereof". Enos added that the song "had a message and melody that resonated".[7] The song is known for its "aching beauty"[8] and for Jones's "plaintive lead vocals and piano".[9]

Howard Jones – vocals, keyboards, percussion programming

– drums, backing vocals & co-producer

Phil Collins

– guitar

Phil Palmer

– bass guitar

Mo Foster

– backing vocals

Afrodiziak

– co-producer & engineer

Hugh Padgham

Steve Chase & Paul Gomersall – assistant engineers

Other versions[edit]

Jones performed the song solo on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1985.[14] A previously unreleased version of "No One is to Blame" by Neilson Hubbard appears on the 2001 Parasol Records compilation, Parasol's Sweet Sixteen, Volume 4.[15]


Rachael Sage recorded a version of "No One Is to Blame" in 2018.[7]

List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1986 (U.S.)

Billboard.com for US artist chart history

OfficialCharts.com for UK artist chart history

Here And Now at cdbaby.com

Katrina Carlson at Billboard.com